Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
From BikeRadar.com:
It’s time to fire up the family wagon, tie down the bikes and hit the road for a cycling vacation. But where to go? BikeRadar conducted an informal survey of pro and amateur riders from various regions of the US to pick 10 of America’s best cycling destinations.
Picks include Marin County, Tucson, Austin and Burlington, VT. Bonus: Picks for Asheville’s best bike shops.
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
The south-east’s most revered cycling town, Asheville is home to a plethora of long, hilly road loops through the Blue Ridge mountains, as well as challenging mountain biking in nearby Pisgah National Forest.
“We have no flats anywhere – you’re always climbing or descending,” said Mike Smith, a lifelong Asheville resident and employee at Liberty Bicycles. The highest point east of the Mississippi, Mt Mitchell, is a 35-mile ride away on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Asheville offers a wide range of dining and hospitality opportunities, too, but we recommend grabbing a cold one at the Wedge Brewing Company.
What it offers
– Highest climb east of the Mississippi.
– Challenging mountain bike trails in Pisgah National Forest.
– The endless, wide roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Why it’s the best
For a combination of road and mountain biking, no place east of the Mississippi comes close.
How to get there
Asheville has its own regional airport, or a two-hour drive east of Charlotte will get you to where you need to be.
Best bike shops
BioWheels, 76 Biltmore Avenue, (828) 232-0300
Liberty Bicycles, 1378 Hendersonville Road, (828) 274-2453
Pro Bikes, 610 Haywood Road, Suite B, (828) 253-2800
Photo: BikeRadar.com. Ride around Asheville and you should expect nothing but climbs and descents
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